The Guardian writes: Thousands of mental health patients are being kept in secure wards for years at a time when they should be being rehabilitated and preparing to leave hospital, a NHS watchdog has revealed. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) criticised both NHS and for-profit mental health providers for forcing such a large number of patients to endure what it called “outdated and sometimes institutionalised care”, often miles from home. The practice leaves already vulnerable patients feeling isolated and less likely to recover, the CQC warned. More than 3,500 patients in 248 mental health wards are kept locked-in. In 2015-16 some stayed for 45 days, but others had been there for up to 1,7
Mental Health America writes: It’s not unusual for young people to experience "the blues" or feel "down in the dumps" occasionally. Adolescence is always an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life. Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can create a strong sense of rejection and can lead to deep disappointment. When things go wrong at school or at home, teens often overreact. Many young people feel that life is not fair or that things "never go their way." They feel "stressed out" and confused. To make matters worse, teens are bombarded by conflicting messages from parents, friends and society. Today
Medical News Today writes: Depression is a prevalent mental health illness throughout the world, causing negative thoughts and behaviors in those who experience it. Many people with depression seek natural treatments for their symptoms, in one form or another. While there is no specific diet to treat depression, what a person consumes may play a role in managing its symptoms. What's the link between diet and depression? Links between diet and depression were misunderstood until recently. Many factors contribute to depression symptoms, and there are dietary considerations for each of them. A recent study posted to BMC Medicine demonstrated that a group of people with moderate to severe depres
The New York Times writes: Searching for the right therapist is sort of like dating. To find The One, you need to date around, “swipe” your way through options and get a feel for who’s out there. In my own hunt, I first searched for therapists online, which led me to feel even more confused than when I began. Lost and without any leads, I asked my best friend for a recommendation. It felt safe to seek help from a professional who came with character references — the same way I’d scan mutual friends on Facebook before agreeing to a date. Sadly, it was yet another match not meant to be. But after three years of on and off “dating” around, I finally found The One, and as with any successful rel
It's now July which means we are half way through the year and the perfect time to reflect on goals you set at the top of the year. It's easy to feel motivated and inspired at the beginning of the year with goal setting, but then that feeling can begin to fade and those goals are now at a stand still. I'm guilty of abandoning some of my own personal goals at some point, but have develop 5 simple ways that have helped me get back on track that I feel can help others. (1) Calendars and daily reminders are my favorite because you can easily use your phone, carry a planner or hang up a calendar and use it. Seeing a visual of those reminders alert you that there is work to be done and only lookin
